Vibrator



T. H. MORGAN April 9, 1940.

VIBRTOR Filed Jan. 25, 1959 Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VIBRATOR.

' Thomas Hubbard Morgan, Kittanning, Pa.

Application January 23, 1939, Serial No. 252,284

l2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in vibrators of the reciprocating type, and more particularly to high frequency vibrators of the character shown in my U. S. Patent No. 2,119,285, of

May 31, 1938.

In the employment of vibrators of the type mentioned in connection with apparatus for the conveyance and separation or classification of materials, it has been discovered that it is im- 18 portant that the vibrator should embody means for effecting a selective variation in vibration amplitude, particularly in certain kinds of work, materials, etc., in order to produce the best resuits..

Il While the patented vibrator has been found entirely satisfactory for many types of work, it isl not as eflicient as it might be under other conditions and types of work, due to the lack of means for readily adjusting the amplitude therel of.

The vibrator of my said prior patent readily lends itself to the embodiment therein of means for such adjustment and control of its amplitude, as the vibrator has a cushioned stroke, the

Il amplitude of which depends largely upon the formation of such a pressure cushion, the expansion of the admitted uid, and the momentum of the piston.

It-is an object of the present invention to pro- U vide for amplitude adjustment of such a vibrator to increase its flexibility and range Without sacrificing efficiency, and to materially extend the application and performance thereof.

My invention contemplates providing a highly Il sensitive degree of amplitude control through varying the effective piston weight and/or varying the points of iiuid intake and exhaust cutoif in relation to the piston travel, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

D Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vil brator embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail section taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2; and

l0 Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 1, showing a. modification.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates a preferred construction, 2 designates a cylinder having closure heads 3 and 4 secured thereto in l5 any suitable manner, as by bolts 5. 'I'he cylinder is provided with spaced right and left hand fluid inlet ports I and 8 respectively, and also has -a pair ofspaced exhaust ports disposed adjacent the ends of the cylinder as' at 9 and III, which exhaust ports communicate with the atmosphere. l

Inlet ports I and 8 are connected in any suitable manner with a source of compressed air or other iiuidi supply as by a conduit II and connecting branching conduits I2, each oi the latter being connected with an inlet port through a l0 suitable fitting I3 bolted or otherwise secured to the cylinder.

A piston or plunger is provided for reciprocation within the cylinder and preferably comprises two parts I4 and I5 connected together in the 15 manner hereinafter set forth. Each piston part is provided with a fluid port I6 opening in the periphery thereof in radial alinement with the inlet ports 1 and 8 for communication therewith and opening in the heads or ends I1 of said pis- .o ton parts for communication with the ends of the cylinder.

The stroking or reciprocating action of the present vibrator is generally like that of my aforesaid patent, having a short stroke high frequency operation, to which end I prefer to employ similar fluid port design, whereby the crosssections of ports 1, 8, 9 and I0 have minimum dimension in the direction of piston travel and have uniform flow areas of adequate capacity.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the admission of uid orv air under pressure through port 8 and port I8 of piston part I5 into the left hand end of cylinder 2, moves the piston to the right, which movement closes exhaust port 9 and opens exhaust 35 port I0 to the atmosphere.

After the closing of exhaust port 9, the momentum of the piston continues its movement until the enclosed body of fluid in the right hand end of the cylinder is compressed sufficiently to o negative the force of momentum, whereby the piston is cushioned and then instantly reversed under the admitted uid from port 1 and registering port I6 of piston part I4, the aforesaid operation alternately reciprocating the piston as 45 will be readily understood.

The-present invention has to do with the variation and control of the amplitude of the reciprocating vibrator through varying the eective weight of the piston I4-I`5 and through 50 iiuid intake and exhaust cut-od adjustment for varying the piston stroke either in. conjunction with the change of weight or separately as conditions require.

-In Figs. 1 and 2, I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention as follows.

One piston part, as for example part I4, is xed to a hollow elongated adjusting sleeve or tube I8l the latter extending centrally and longitudinally of the cylinder 2 and outwardly therebeyond through a suitable packing gland I8 in the cylinder head 4. A longitudinally extending adjusting rod or member 20 is slidably positioned in the tube I8 and is iixedly secured by its inner end to the other piston part I5. The outer end of the rod 20 extends beyond the tube I8 and has a terminal abutment or head 2|.

Tube I8 is externally threaded as at 22 beyond the packing gland I9, and at its end is provided a threaded adjusting nut 23. Terminal head 2| of the adjusting rod is enclosed by the nut which latter has an internal cooperating abutment 24. 'I'he outer end of the nut 23 is bored to receive the head 2| of rod 20, said bore being threaded to receive a locking screw or member 25 for securing head 2| against abutment 24 as shown.

By the foregoing construction, the relative positions or spacing of the piston parts I4 and I5 may be adjusted by relative movement of the sleeve I8 and rod 20, the same being effected through manipulation of the nut 23 on the sleeve I8, whereby the overall length of the piston and the spacing of the fluid ports I6 may be varied. 'I'he piston parts are then secured in adjusted relation by the locking screw 25. In addition, lock nuts 28 are provided on the threaded sleeve and on the screw 25 for securing engagement with the ends of adjusting nut 23.

For the purpose of adjusting and varying the fluid exhaust in relation to the stroke and inlet ports, I provide a pair of adjustable cut-off blocks 21, one being mounted in each piston part I4 and I5. Each block 21 has an inner arcuate bearing `face engaging face 28 of an arcuate cut out portion or recess in its piston part, and has an outer arcuate bearing face 28 engaging the inner surface of the cylinder 2.

The outer portion of the faces 28 of said blocks adjacent the heads I1 of their respective piston parts are transversely cut away forming cut-off abutments 30 for controlling the exhaust ports 8 and I 0 of cylinder 2.

Adjusting screws 3| extend through the blocks 21 in parallelism with the axis of the cylinder 2 and are threaded into the respective piston parts I4 and I5 as at 32. The screws 3| have clearance in the blocks 21 and have inner collars 33 against which the blocks engage. 34 designates lock nuts on the outer ends of the screws, which upon being loosened, permit the blocks to be moved parallel to the axis of the piston and cylinder by their screws 3| which are slotted or headed at their outer ends for engagement by a suitable tool.

The cylinder heads 3 and 4 are bored at 35, forming openings in register with and providing access to the adjusting screws 3|, whereby the cut-off blocks 21 may be adjusted on their piston parts. Removable closure plugs 36 are provided for the openings 35, and may be recessed as at 31 for clearance of the projecting screws 3| and their lock nuts 34 during piston movement.

In order to prevent piston rotation and to maintain proper alinement of piston and ports, any suitable means may be provided, as for example, aneccentrlcally located stud 38 may be passed through one of the cylinder heads into a provided eccentric recess 39 in tbe adjacent piston part.

Upon the extended, portion of the telescoped adjusting members I8 and 28, I provide for the mounting of a series of weights W. whereby said weights are reciprocable by and with the piston I4-I5. Such mounting includes a bushing 4I applied to the elongated sleeve I8 on the threaded portion 22 thereof between the nut 23 and the packing gland I8, the external diameter of said bushing being preferably slightly greater than that of the nut 23 and its associated parts, and being externally threaded at 42. An enlarged collar 43 is provided at the end of the bushing adjacent the packing gland.

The weights W may be of any desired size and shape, preferably being centrally bored so as to be removably positioned on the bushing 4I by application thereto over the nut 23 and sleeve I8. A lock nut 45 coacts with collar 43 to clamp the weights on the bushing, and a lock nut 46 secures the bushing on the sleeve I8.

A spring may be provided on the sleeve or tube I8 between the packing gland I8 and the lock nut of bushing 4|, whereby to prevent dead center location of the piston |4-I5, as when starting the vibrator. The tension of this spring may be regulated by movement of the bushing 4| and its lock nut 48 on the tube I8.

In practice, one or more weights W may be applied to or removed from bushing 4|, to selectively vary the effective piston weight, whereby the amplitude of the vibrator is varied. Assuming the vibrator to be operating at a certain amplitude under the normal weight of its piston, the application of additional weight will correspondingly increase the momentum of the mass of plston and weights and lengthen the piston stroke.

Such an increased weight and stroke will increase the amplitude, and may necessitate port adjustment to maintain frequency and regulate uid consumption.

For example, increasing the piston length by separating piston parts I4 and I5 by means of their adjusting members I8 and 20, likewise increases the distance between intake passages I8 of said piston parts. whereby the piston stroke is shortened. While such adjustment is accomplished by some increase in uid consumption there is no appreciable reduction in frequency. It tends to decrease the stroke, but produces a very positive stroking action of particular advantage as where the vibrator is applied directly to and as a connecting link between two parts or members, as for example, by connecting the cylinder 2 to one part and the piston I4-I8 to the other.

Decreasing the piston length and the distance between fluid intake passages I8 by the same adjusting means will increase the piston stroke t`o increase the vibration amplitude. Such adjustment reduces the portion of the stroke directly caused by the inflowing fluid, permitting expansion and the attained momentum of the piston to move the latter to return position. The vibratory action is thereby sharpened, and the operation is attended with decreased iluid consumption in comparison to the useful energy realized.

A proper adjustment of cut-off blocks 21 may be necessary to provide a timing overlap cut-oil to eliminate escape of the working pressure upon intake adjustment as hereinbefore described. Due to the fact that the cut-off blocks are moved with such intake adjustment, the requisite independent adjustment thereof may be slight, but must be made where necessary to advance the exhaust cut-off ahead of the intake opening by a suitable increment, upon which economy of fluid consumption depends to a large extent.

Variation in vibration amplitude through stroke adjustment only, in the manner set forth, affords a highly sensitive and accurate adjustment for certain purposes. Likewise, the variation of effective piston weight alone may produce the desired amplitude, while underother conditions of operation, the port adjustment and weight variation may be related through suitable adjustment vand observation of the resulting vibratory action.

Thus it will be seen that the proper port adjustment and piston weight may be readily obtained through observing the effect of variations thereof under any certain vibrator loading and conditions of operation. In this manner, I am enabled to employ my improved vibrator under the varying conditions encountered in practice through simple and easy adjustments.

It will be noted that I have preferably provided for external application of the weights and external adjustment of the uid intake, whereby the necessary adjustments may be easily and readily accomplished without dis-assembly of the vibrator. However, my invention is not to be limited thereto, as the same may be constructed to provide internally located adjusting means functioning equally well in so far as the vibratory action oi the vibrator and its control are concerned, but requiring disassembly of the structure with its attendant loss of time and labor.

Thus, in Fig. 4, piston parts Ila and I5a may be separated by means of a removable weight Ma, which together with one or more spacers or washers Mb serve to determine the spacing of the said piston parts, thereby determining and aifording a means of selectively varying the spacing of the fluid intake passages IBa, the entire piston assembly being secured together by a central through bolt 20a. The exhaust cut-off blocks 21 are provided as before, the porting and general construction being also employed as before and being designated by corresponding numerals.

In such construction a considerable range of amplitude adjustment may be obtained by supplying cylinders 2 of varying lengths to accommodate weights 44a of various diameters and sizes, while maintaining the diameter of the piston and cylinder constant.

My improved vibrator may be applied and secured in any suitable manner to a part or parts to be vibrated, as for example, by the bolts 5, and the conduit i i connected with any suitable source of compressed air or other fluid supply, as will be readily understood.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A vibrator including a movable element, means for effecting movement of the element whereby to produce a vibratory motion, and means for varying the eifective weight of the element to vary the amplitude of the vibratory motion. l

2. A vibrator including a reciprocable piston, means for reciprocating the piston whereby to produce vibratory motion, and means for varying the effective weight of the piston to vary the amplitude of the vibratory motion.

3. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder and piston having coacting ports operable to supply fluid to the cylinder to reciprocate the piston whereby to produce vibratory motion, and adjusting means associated with the piston for varying the effective weight of the piston to vary the amplitude of the vibratory motion.

4. A vibrator including a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, said cylinder and piston having coacting ports operable to supply fluid to the cylinder to reciprocate the piston to produce vibratory impulses thereby, and means externally of the cylinder for varying the effective weight of the piston to vary the amplitude of said impulses.

5. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder and piston having coacting ports operable to supply fluid t0 the cylinder to reciprocate the piston whereby to produce vibratory motion, and adjusting means associated with the piston for varying the relation between the cylinder ports and piston ports to vary the stroke length of the piston and the amplitude of vibrations produced thereby.

6. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder and piston having coacting ports operable to supply fluid to the cylinder to reciprocate the piston whereby to produce a vibratory motion, and adjusting means associated with the piston for varying the relationship between the cylinder ports and piston ports to vary the stroke length of the piston and the amplitude of the vibrations produced thereby, said adjusting means disposed to project beyond the cylinder and be manipulated externally thereof.

'7. A vibrator comprising a cylinder and a piston including a pair of piston members reciprocable in the cylinder, said cylinder and piston having coacting ports operable to supply uid to opposite ends of the cylinder to reciprocate the piston whereby to produce vibratory motion, and means for adjustably moving the piston members to vary the relationship between the ports thereof and their coacting cylinder ports to vary the stroke length of the piston and amplitude of the vibrations.

8. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder and piston having coacting ports operable to supplyfluid to the cylinder to reciprocate the piston whereby to produce vibratory motion, means for varying the effective weight of the piston, and adjustable means for varying the relationship between the cylinder and piston ports.

9. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder having a pair of fluid inlet ports and a piston having a pair of similar ports coacting with the cylinder ports, adjusting means associated with the piston for varying the relationship between the cylinder and the piston ports to vary the stroke length of the piston and the amplitude of vibrations produced by the movements of the piston, fluid exhaust ports in the cylinder, and means for controlling the exhaust in relation to the inlet ports and the stroke length of the piston.

10. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder having a pair of fluid inlet ports in the form of transversely disposed slots having minimum dimension in the direction of piston movement and the piston having a pair of similar ports coacting with the cylinder ports, adjusting means associated with the piston for varying the relationship between the cylinder ports and the piston ports to vary the stroke length of the piston and the amplitude of vibrations produced by the movements of the piston, iiuid exhaust ports similar to the aforesaid ports, and means for controlling the exhaust in relation to the inlet ports and the stroke length of the piston.

11. A vibrator including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, said cylinder having a pair of uid inlet ports and a piston having a pair of similar ports coacting with the cylinder ports, adyusting means associated with the piston for varying the relationship between the cylinder and the piston ports to vary the stroke length of the piston and the amplitude of vibrations produced by the movements of the piston, uid exhaust ports in the cylinder, means for controlling the exhaust in relation to the inlet ports and the4 madam stroke length of the piston, and adjusting means associated with the piston for varying the eiiective weight of the piston to vary the amplitude of the vibrations.

12. In a vibrator, a cylinder, a divided piston reciprocable in the cylinder and including a pair of spaced apart ported members, cylinder inlet ports cooperating with ports of said members, means for adjustably connecting the piston members, said means operable within the cylinder for l0 varying the distance between the piston members and projecting beyond the cylinder, and a variable weight supported by the last mentioned means for varying the eiiective weight of the piston.

THOMAS HUBBARD MORGAN. 

